People Take Pictures of Each Other
The Kinks Lyrics


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People take pictures of the Summer,
Just in case someone thought they had missed it,
And to proved that it really existed.
Fathers take pictures of the mothers,
And the sisters take pictures of brothers,
Just to show that they love one another.
You can't picture love that you took from me,
When we were young and the world was free.
Pictures of things as they used to be,
Don't show me no more, please.
People take pictures of each other,
Just to prove that they really existed,
Just to prove that they really existed.
People take pictures of each other,
And the moment to last them for ever,
Of the time when they mattered to someone.
People take pictures of the Summer,
Just in case someone thought they had missed it,
Just to proved that it really existed.
People take pictures of each other,
And the moment to last them for ever,
Of the time when they mattered to someone.
Picture of me when I was just three,
Sucking my thumb by the old oak tree.




Oh how I love things as they used to be,
Don't show me no more, please.

Overall Meaning

The Kinks’ song “People Take Pictures of Each Other” is a commentary on the phenomenon of our modern-day obsession with capturing memories in photographs. The lyrics reflect an analysis of the motivation behind taking photographs and the various reasons why people take pictures of themselves and others around them. The opening lines suggest that people take photographs of summer in order to show that it really existed, further emphasizing the idea that our memories are not enough to validate the existence of the things we’ve experienced. The next lines take it further with fathers taking pictures of mothers and sisters taking pictures of brothers, to convey the message that we take photographs to demonstrate our love to those closest to us.


The chorus of the song is repetitious, questioning the need to prove that we exist and the importance of capturing certain moments to last forever. The bridge that follows emphasizes the nostalgia that comes from looking back at old photographs and how they remind us of simpler times, but at the same time, it also suggests that looking back can be painful and that it’s hard to stay rooted in the past. In a world where virtually every person has access to a camera, capturing memories has become facilitated, and it has become almost a compulsion for people to document every aspect of their lives. “People Take Pictures of Each Other” reminds us of the power of photography and the impact our photographs can have on our memories of ourselves and others.


Line by Line Meaning

People take pictures of the Summer,
People often take pictures capturing memories of summer just in case they forget it happened.


Just in case someone thought they had missed it,
The primary reason for taking pictures of summer is to make sure no one forgets it happened.


And to proved that it really existed.
Taking pictures of something makes it seem more real and tangible, as a way to confirm it wasn't just imagined.


Fathers take pictures of the mothers,
Fathers capture pictures of their wives to have a memory of their partner and their relationship.


And the sisters take pictures of brothers,
Sisters capture pictures of their brothers to have a memory of them along with the bond they share as siblings.


Just to show that they love one another.
Taking pictures is an expression of love and affection, a way to show someone that they matter.


You can't picture love that you took from me,
Even if you took pictures of all our experiences and moments shared, it doesn't encompass the love shared in them.


When we were young and the world was free.
The artist reminisces about a time in the past when everything was carefree and life was simple.


Pictures of things as they used to be,
Pictures fail to encapsulate the true essence of things as they once were.


Don't show me no more, please.
The artist wants to move forward and live in the present, rather than be stuck in the past through pictures.


And the moment to last them for ever,
The main motivation for taking pictures is capturing a moment in time to have it forever in memory.


Of the time when they mattered to someone.
Pictures often capture moments when someone felt important, cherished and valued by others.


Picture of me when I was just three,
The singer specifically mentions a picture of himself as a child, reflecting on a time from his past.


Sucking my thumb by the old oak tree.
The picture captures the singer in a particular moment from their childhood, sucking their thumb by an old oak tree.


Oh how I love things as they used to be,
The singer feels a sense of nostalgia for the past, and may struggle to appreciate the present if constantly dwelling on memories.


Don't show me no more, please.
The artist wants to move on from the past and doesn't want to constantly be reminded of it through pictures.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@stephencoomer5692

People take pictures of the Summer,
Just in case someone thought they had missed it,
And to proved that it really existed.
Fathers take pictures of the mothers,
And the sisters take pictures of brothers,
Just to show that they love one another.

You can't picture love that you took from me,
When we were young and the world was free.
Pictures of things as they used to be,
Don't show me no more, please.

People take pictures of each other,
Just to prove that they really existed,
Just to prove that they really existed.
People take pictures of each other,
and the moment can last them for ever,
Of the time when they mattered to someone.

People take pictures of the Summer,
Just in case someone thought they had missed it,
Just to proved that it really existed.
People take pictures of each other,
Of a moment that lasts them for ever,
and the time when they mattered to someone.
Picture of me when I was just three,
Sat with my ma by the old oak tree.
Oh how I love things as they used to be,
Don't show me no more, please.



@user-ip9yu7lp1q

People take pictures of the Summer,
Just in case someone thought they had missed it,

And to proved that it really existed.
Fathers take pictures of the mothers,
And the sisters take pictures of brothers,
Just to show that they love one another.

You can't picture love that you took from me,
When we were young and the world was free.
Pictures of things as they used to be,
Don't show me no more, please.

People take pictures of each other,
Just to prove that they really existed,
and the moment can last them for ever,
Of the time when they mattered to someone.

Just to proved that it really existed.
People take pictures of each other,
Of a moment that lasts them for ever,
and the time when they mattered to someone.
Picture of me when I was just three,
Sat with my ma by the old oak tree.
Oh how I love things as they used to be,
Don't show me no more, please.



All comments from YouTube:

@milk_cow_blues

This song talks about the fear of being forgotten.

Man, I really love this band.

@sonofphilip8229

I wish this album would never end. I want to live in it.

@edwardmeade1765

I feel the same way. ❤❤

@Leo-qe3gl

Me too😌😌😌. This album is so unbelievable great. I dont trust people who not a least acknowledge its greatness.

@AvruLennonx

😔 Same, my friend

@williamcurtin5692

If they had to, this was the way to do. Same with I'll remember at the end of Face to Face. My favorite band ever.

@pauljarvis7428

Bloody hell. This guy can write a song about anything and make it work! If that’s not song writing genius, I don’t know what is!

@johnp5351

I really think he was a genius and so do many others , I can feel his influence thru 60 y of British Music ,sometimes its subliminal people doent realise but its there

@Themanwhocameback2

More strikingly true than ever, in this age of FACEBOOK. People take pictures of what they are drinking or eating - and think everyone wants to know and see. Unbelievable.

@Shondaville

Sharp & dry in both form and content. Ray at the height of his power.

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